Storm Diana: Wet and windy weather set to sweep across the UK
The recent cold and sunny spell seen by many is set to be blown away by heavy rain and gales, some severe, in the middle of the week.
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Hide AdStorm Diana, named by the IPMA Portuguese weather service, is currently threatening the Azores and is due to make itself felt over western parts of the UK on Wednesday.
Dan Harris, deputy chief meteorologist at the Met Office, said: "It now looks very likely that we will see a major change in the UK's weather early in the week ahead.
"We expect spells of wet and windy weather to sweep across the UK from the south west from Tuesday, although at the moment there is uncertainty around the timing and the focus for the heaviest rain and strong winds by Wednesday as Storm Diana approaches our shores."
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Hide AdMonday is expected to remain chilly and bright for most parts, although there will be some showers in the east.
Temperatures are expected to reach a maximum of 10C (50F) in the south west, with highs of 4C (39F) to 7C (44F) expected elsewhere, with fog patches a risk as the mercury dips again overnight.
Conditions are expected to start to turn on Tuesday, with wet and windy weather pushing in from the south west.
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Hide AdA separate system to Diana, the front will move eastwards bringing rain and blustery conditions to all parts by the end of the day.
After building in the Atlantic, Storm Diana is due to arrive on Wednesday as a low pressure system tracks to the north of Ireland.
Gales of up to 60mph could be seen over western parts of the UK, with heavy rain, although the storm is expected to move through relatively quickly.
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Hide AdThe arrival of Diana following a wet Tuesday could see rain totals of between 60mm and 80mm in some western parts over the two days.
Storm Diana is expected to move away during Wednesday evening, although showers are likely to persist into Thursday.
Temperatures are predicted to be mild, with highs of 15C (59F) possible in the south east on Wednesday and Thursday - around 5C (9F) above average for the time of year.
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Hide AdStorm Diana was named by IPMA due to its effects first being felt by the Portuguese Azores.
The next winter storm that affects the UK first will likely be named by the Met Office, with Deirdre next on a list of names chosen by the public